Iris M. Almeida

March 18, 1939 - July 23, 2013

Dr. Iris Marie Almeida, a 39-year resident of Scarsdale, passed away unexpectedly on July 23 at the age of 74. She was born in Mangalore, India on March 18, 1939 to Cecilia and Albert Mascarenhas. She graduated with an MD from Grant Medical College in Bombay, and practiced as a pediatrician prior to immigrating to the US in 1974. In the US, she trained as a psychiatrist at Montefiore Medical Center and subsequently practiced at the Cornell Department of Psychiatry in White Plains.

Iris centered her life around her family and dedicated herself to the raising and nurturing of her three children and later her seven grandchildren. She was a proud Scarsdalian and enjoyed having all her children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends around her. She enjoyed cooking and entertaining, keeping an open house where all were welcome, including family and friends from around the world. Additionally, she was an avid reader and gardener and enjoyed the fine arts, encouraging her family to actively engage in music and art.

Iris had the ability to make everyone she met feel special, and had an amazing ability to reach out to those in need. She spoke very softly, but listened with great empathy. She was caring and sensitive to the emotional needs of people around her and often functioned as a counselor to family and friends.

Iris is survived by her beloved husband, Robert Almeida; her three loving children Nicole Visaggi (and David), Bob Almeida (and Kira), and Simone Almeida (and Jayesh Gandhi), and her grandchildren, Talia Visaggi, Zachary Visaggi, Bobby Almeida, Alexander Almeida, Maxwell Almeida, Kyle Gandhi, and Karina Gandhi all of Scarsdale, NY. She is also survived by her sisters, Florence Ferris, Marjorie Almeida, and Diana Coelho, and her brother, Michael Mascarenhas, all currently residing in India.

Her family will receive visitors at a wake on Thursday, July 25 from 6 – 9 pm and Friday, July 26 from 2 – 4 pm and 7 – 9 pm at Edwin L. Bennett Funeral Home in Scarsdale, NY. A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, July 27th at 9:45 am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 8 Carman Road, Scarsdale.